Artificial intelligence summarised the discussion in seconds. What it could not capture, however, was why the conversation mattered.
At the close of Reimagining the role of the arts in universities and society – presented as part of the 2026 Vrystaat Arts Festival – AI distilled an hour of dialogue into a series of concise observations: creativity drives innovation, storytelling shapes knowledge, the arts help societies imagine new futures, and investing in the arts is an investment in human potential.
It was an accurate summary. But it also reinforced the central message of the afternoon: while AI can identify patterns and synthesise ideas, the arts help people make sense of themselves, one another, and the increasingly complex world they inhabit.
Facilitated by Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS), the discussion brought together artists, educators, and scholars to reflect on the role of the arts in higher education and society.
“The arts are not peripheral. They are central to how we understand ourselves and our world. Creativity helps societies to navigate complexity, uncertainty, and change. And universities have a responsibility to nurture imagination alongside knowledge. Creative practice advances inclusion, empathy, and social solidarity,” remarked Prof Reddy.
Joining the conversation were Prof Anthea van Jaarsveld, Associate Professor of Drama and Theatre Arts; Carin Bester, performance artist, actress, set designer, and art director; and Tlotlisang David Mhlambiso, author, poet, and educator. Drawing on their diverse experiences, the panellists explored how artistic practice shapes identity, strengthens social cohesion, challenges assumptions, and creates space for critical engagement.
Creativity at the heart of higher education
Throughout the discussion, one idea surfaced repeatedly: universities are at their strongest when creativity and scholarship work together. Rather than viewing the arts as separate from research and innovation, the panel highlighted their role in expanding how knowledge is created, shared, and applied. Artistic practice encourages curiosity, embraces complexity, and opens new ways of understanding societal challenges – qualities that are just as valuable in research as they are in creative expression.
As the conversation unfolded, several themes emerged. The arts cultivate empathy, resilience, and critical reflection. Storytelling remains a powerful way of creating and sharing knowledge. Creativity is not simply a cultural asset but a strategic one, enabling universities and communities to imagine new possibilities and respond to an ever-changing world. Reimagining higher education – the discussion suggested – requires creativity at its core.
Prof Reddy noted, “The arts are not barriers; they build bridges across disciplines, cultures, and communities. The cultural sector remains a powerful driver of innovation and human development. Artistic expression challenges assumptions and opens new possibilities for dialogue.”
The discussion formed part of the UFS' continued partnership with the Vrystaat Arts Festival – a collaboration that marks its 25th anniversary this year. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces where scholarship, creativity, and public dialogue intersect, bringing together artists, academics, students, and the broader community to engage with ideas that matter.
While AI provided a neat summary of the afternoon, it was the lived experiences, diverse perspectives, and honest conversations shared by the panellists that gave those ideas their depth and meaning. As universities navigate rapid technological change, the discussion reaffirmed that the arts remain essential – not only for inspiring creativity and innovation, but also for nurturing empathy, expanding perspectives, and contributing to responsible societal futures.